Panthenol

Panthenol is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid, and is thus a provitamin of B₅. In organisms, it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. It is a viscous transparent liquid at room temperature. Panthenol is used in pharmaceutical and children's products as a moisturizer and to hasten wound healing.

Adverse effects

Panthenol is generally well-tolerated. In rare cases, skin irritation causing contact dermatitis and contact allergies have been reported.

Pharmacology

Panthenol readily penetrates into the skin and mucous membranes, where it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is extremely hygroscopic. It is also used in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A, which plays a role in a wide range of enzymatic reactions and in cell growth.

Physical and chemical properties

Panthenol is an odourless, slightly bitter, highly viscous, transparent, and colourless liquid at room temperature, but salts of pantothenic acid are powders that are typically white. It is easily soluble in water and alcohol, moderately soluble in diethyl ether, soluble in chloroform, in propylene glycol, and slightly soluble in glycerin.
Panthenol's expanded chemical formula is HO–CH₂–C₂–CH–CONH–CH₂CH₂CH₂–OH.

Stereochemistry

Panthenol comes in two enantiomers: D, and L. Only D-panthenol is biologically active, however both forms have moisturizing properties. For cosmetic use, panthenol comes either in D form, or as a racemic mixture of D and L.